Friday with Means - May 14th, 2010 - Multipatch

[meatybtz]

Ebon is right actually. Internal test software is often quite different structurally vs the completed product, esp in a client<-network->server suite. Usually because you need to streamline testing in a "local environment" where squashing certain bugs or debugging certain behaivors is just plain easier. This often involves fake networking communications or the complete removal of the networking component and having everything (server and client) running on the same machine but not using networking to communicate but instead interprocess.

Essentially they are about to make their first Beta Client for the new game engine, complete with all features (including network in the form it will take in the RC). So yes, if this is true, they are quite close to releasing an product that is ready for Public Beta. Alpha->Beta->Public Beta->Release. I would say with all the time and effort put in, their first beta will be more polished than people would usually expect thanks to extended alpha bug squashing, which should mean a fast path to the Public Beta and stress testing. I would put public beta estimates at this fall with a near Christmass release for the new game engine.

[Wulf-GTI]

the new client to run FASTER on old hardware

Yahoo!

[Kaitoujeanne]

WTB New Engine Video.

[Sterva]

I wonder what "old hardware" means, exactly, given that AO came out almost a decade ago, it could mean anything.

[bitnykk]

good news, gg again for the patch ! have a nice drinktime to celebrate.

[Dancingrage]

Good news for AO on the engine front. Would like more info for rebalancing soon if possible.

[Raggy]

I wonder what "old hardware" means, exactly, given that AO came out almost a decade ago, it could mean anything.

It means they played it on a Sega Megadrive :P

[Melcom]

This is my post, my post is awesome.

That is all. *heads over to Means' place*

all hail macrosun

[Neosh1]

hail!

[Dagget]

I wonder what "old hardware" means, exactly, given that AO came out almost a decade ago, it could mean anything.

Yes, this statement is meaningless w/o some reference. Does 'old hardware' mean a 1 Ghz cpu/256mb mem/built-in svga system or what?

Please state the cpu/memory/video at the very least so we can get some measure of where things stand?

[Trgeorge]

The current system is the system that came with the release of AO and runspeed numbers have climbed significantly since then. Some adjustments were going to be needed...this is a first important step.

Adjustments as in run speed nerf? Or as in "how engine handles the runspeed numbers"?

If it's nerf, implement it in a way new or rather low level chars won't be affected

[Worldofalts]

I wonder what "old hardware" means, exactly, given that AO came out almost a decade ago, it could mean anything.

Im running a computer with a bfg gtx 8800 oc, 4 gigs ram, 3.2ghz dual core, and I would call my 'puter "old hardware" (which it is).

on the other hand, im sure the devs have the means (lol) to pull computer specs from everyone who is currently playing, and determine exactly for their purposes what "old hardware" is exactly.

[ElBoogy]

i am the only one who is afraid of runspeed being "adjustet" ? i don´t wanna be slow... in fact i need to get faster !

[Ms_Idoru]

I wonder what "old hardware" means, exactly, given that AO came out almost a decade ago, it could mean anything.

Perhaps any hardware that supports DirectX versions post-6 but pre-11? The stuff AO's old client always had trouble with...

[Neosh1]

well maybe by "adjusting runspeed" they mean increasing cap to 3k or so??

[SoapTarder]

i am the only one who is afraid of runspeed being "adjustet" ? i don´t wanna be slow... in fact i need to get faster !

less afraid, more disappointed that strunning (as our org calls it) was causing problems and it had to be removed. especially considering it boosted the run speed of lower level characters considerably, i hope runspeed is scaled better when they adjust it.

running for 5 minutes on a level 10 toon to get from jobe research to the other end of the bridge might feel epic(?) for a new player, but even in real life i can run faster, and i don't run if i can help it. for a toon that has implants, and is biogenetically enhanced, why the hell do they run so slow at lower levels.

In fact, why not remove runspeed entirely from IP window, and instead have all toons run at 1500/2000 rs unbuffed no matter what the level, then rely on buffs/stims as the only reliable way of running faster than others.

[Technogen]

Removing things from the IP system isnt really viable, because as I understand it it does "bad things" to the client, like just removing that bit of IP from the system. (you, not getting it back style removing it)

[Butsut3kkai]

Run speed IP is great. We can feel the progression of our toon with that. BUT the strafe remove is a pain. It s maybe good for client sync or else but we still rubber. And now i feel like a turtle around SL. Remove RS cap pls !

[erozc]

Have a great evening all

Oh, one more thing...

All hail Sergey!

(sorry, Macrosun)

[DaviasI]

So I take this to mean that you're going to cap runspeed at 500 so even those on the crappiest connections have no problem with syncing up and that the new engine will then run fine with all sparklies on my crappy little netbook?

I'm almost afraid to ask what the size of the most recent install is looking like. I wonder how many people have heart attack when they have to download 10 gb patch file for new engine .

And to be fair if it were a really stressful week you'd host the party for the entire weekend and call it a "team-building exercise" for employee appreciation week.

I'll raise a glass to my favorite dev team when I get off of work.